21 December, 2021Since mid-December, the Myanmar military has intensified operations against the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the search for pro-democracy activists. Clashes between soldiers and civilians have led to dozens of casualties. Thousands of villagers have been internally displaced during indiscriminate artillery strikes.
Khaing Zar, president of IndustriALL affiliate, the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), says:
“Lives are in danger; people are fleeing from the attacks with nowhere to go. The killings and torture committed by the terrorist army must stop - international governments must take concrete action and provide humanitarian assistance through the NUG."
Myanmar unions, like the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) and IWFM, have participated in the civil disobedience movement and numerous national strikes. Together with the Myanmar Labour Alliance, they launched a campaign for comprehensive economic sanctions in August.
IndustriALL supports the campaign for comprehensive economic sanctions against the military regime, calling on multinational companies to divest and halt operations in Myanmar. IndustriALL’s 3rd congress in September adopted a resolution in support of the democratic struggle in Myanmar.
Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary, says:
“We condemn the mass violence committed by the illegitimate regime against the Myanmar people. The junta must immediately end the violence, as called for by the United Nations Security Council in November.
“IndustriALL urges the international community to step up actions, demanding an end to the mass killings. The United Nations and the International Labour Organization should recognize the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar.”